Simple styling tips to match your staircase to a modern interior
In a previous post about period property styles, we talked a little about Modernism as an overarching design movement, beginning back in the 1930s and still going strong today. Whilst this is mostly accurate in architectural terms, things are a bit more complicated when it comes to interior design. ‘Modern design’ actually encompasses a whole range of styles, each with their own distinct features, so here is a handy guide to some of the most prominent modern design styles, and how you can customise your staircase for each.
Scandinavian
Most of us will immediately think of a specific Swedish home decor giant when we think of Scandi style design, characterised by simplicity and clean lines, and functionality. And for good reason! Scandinavian interior design principles are focussed on the creation of stylish but easy-to-live-in spaces, bringing form and function together in cozy, calm and practical homes. Natural elements are essential to this aesthetic, as is the use of lighting and texture to enhance the feeling of warmth and invitation and create a sense of openness.
Styling a staircase for a Scandi interior
Natural materials are a major aspect of the Scandinavian style so if you’re planning on this kind of interior scheme, it’s probably wise to opt for wooden or stone treads and keep the colours light and neutral. To add texture and emphasize the cozy feel, you could add some soft carpet overlay to the treads and give careful consideration to lighting around the staircase. In terms of which type of staircase to choose, most designs would fit neatly but a simpler shape such as a straight, dog-legged or classic spiral staircase would probably complement the aesthetic most.
Cantilevered or 'floating' staircase with timber treads.
Industrial
It might seem odd that decorating your home in an industrial aesthetic could be relaxing or comfortable, but that’s exactly what this style aims to achieve. Think less shiny metal and more exposed brickwork and other architectural elements, soft wood accents and vintage decor. This style is ideal for lovers of architecture who want to celebrate the nuts and bolts (literally) of their home, as it celebrates materials – often reclaimed and with a raw, unfinished edge. These elements combined with modern, cool, colours and wide open spaces create a very liveable, laid back space with a timeless quality.
Styling a staircase for an Industrial interior
Modern materials reminiscent of those you’d find in a factory setting are the order of the day for this kind of interior. A mix of materials would also be very effective for an industrial style staircase – steel , concrete and wood can be combined in several ways to create a stunning finished piece. A spiral staircase in polished steel would be the obvious choice for a truly industrial look, with the option of minimalist or ornate balustrade features and a wooden handrail in a distressed finish to really set off the style. A spine beam staircase would also be a fantastic option for an industrial project, as it showcases the construction of the stairs.
Spiral staircase in steel with solid balustrade.
Rustic
There are a lot of similarities between rustic and Scandinavian design, with both emphasising natural materials, neutral colours, mixed textures, and functional spaces. However, the rustic aesthetic has a stronger focus on warmth, with the aim to create an earthy look through the use of more unrefined finishes, rather than the clean lines and minimalism of Scandi tastes. Exposed beams, stone surfaces, a warm neutral palette and soft furnishings chosen for optimum comfort all help to produce a modern rustic aesthetic.
Styling a staircase for a Rustic interior
Most materials will work within this style, with the exception of metal – though if you are set on a steel construction, then a powder coating finish in a warm colour could be an effective solution. A wooden staircase would really complement a rustic interior, or if you wanted to mix materials, stone treads with timber balustrade would be effective, with carpet overlay an option to up the cozy factor.
Spiral staircase in a mix of steel and timber with vertical balusters.
Coastal
Not to be confused with nautical design, coastal interiors are a much more sophisticated way of bringing the seaside aesthetic into your home. It’s a very popular style down here in Cornwall (where Spiral UK is based) for obvious reasons, but has been adopted by people living great distances from the sea, in an effort to capture some of that beach living vibe. The key characteristics of a coastal style interior include bright white walls, accents of beige and blue to suggest the sea and sand, natural materials and hard floors. Wood is usually unfinished to look similar to driftwood, and the use of jute, rattan, wicker, bamboo and linen are prevalent.
Styling a staircase for a Coastal interior
The main considerations are material and colour when tying in a staircase to a coastal style property. Concrete or powder coated steel in a white finish are both suitable options, with a spiral staircase complete with solid balustrade making an ideal addition to any coastal aesthetic. If spiral stairs aren’t quite your thing, a cantilevered staircase with timber treads and an open glass balustrade is another fantastic option to make the most of light and airy spaces, with the reflective surface providing the impression of rippling water.
Concrete spiral staircase with open risers.
If you’re thinking about creating a custom staircase for your project, we have plenty of inspiration and advice on our website and socials for you to peruse, and our expert team are always happy to discuss ideas and advise on next steps to make your dream bespoke staircase into reality.
Come back next week for part two of this style guide for more modern style ideas!